2023 Pre-Season Rank #392022 Pre-Season Rank #47, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #70, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #108.  Peak Period: 2019-23

In 2019, it felt like Derrick Henry won the Rushing Title out of nowhere, as he was in his fourth year, and it he only had 1,059 Yards the year before.  In 2020, Henry won his second Rushing Title, shattering his previous mark, and joined the 2,000 Yard Rushing club and winning the Offensive Player of the Year.  Had he not gotten injured during the 2021 season, Henry was on his way to his second straight OPOY.  After a bounce back in 2022 that saw him net his third 1,500-yard campaign.  Henry has one more year in Tennessee and is the current active rushing leader (9.502), and is looking to break 10,000 Rushing Yards as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.  He is also the active leader in Rushing Touchdowns (90), making it possible for Henry to break 100 TDs on the ground this season too.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #122, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #132 2021 Pre-Season Rank #101, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #100.  2018-19/2021-23

Barkley was the stud that we expected him to be as a rookie, earning a Pro Bowl and leading the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage.  His output dropped as a sophomore but was still strong, and there was no reason to think he couldn’t dominate in 2020, but a torn ACL early took that away.  Barkley started 2021 on the IR, and when Running Backs get hurt, they struggle to regain top form more than other position players.  Barkley had that return he needed in 2022 with a career-high in Rushing Yards (1,312), a second Pro Bowl, and another decent year in 2023 (962 RY), and he is now a Philadelphia Eagle.

Barkley has a lot of catch-up to do regarding his initial Hall of Fame promise.  A player injured that badly and early always struggles, and Barkley is no different.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #55 Pre-Season Rank #66, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #76, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #81. Peak Period: 2017-18/2021-23

McCaffrey had a decent rookie year, a good second year, and a fantastic third season, where he led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,392) and Touchdowns (19).  The Running Back also rushed for over 1,000 Yards and caught passes over 1,000 Yards, a rare feat!  Due to injury, he could not follow up in the two years that followed, but when he was healthy in 2022 and returned to Pro Bowl form, he was surrounded by a team that threw in the towel and traded him to San Francisco.  McCaffrey is one of the most versatile Running Backs, but his position is meant for ailments. 

Last year, we said, “What he does in 2024 might decide whether he has a shot at the Hall”. McCaffrey’s response was to win his first Rushing Title (1,459) and Offensive Player of the Year while also topping the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage (2,023) and Touchdowns (21) for the second time in his career. 

2023 Pre-Season #28, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #33, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #48, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #66.  Peak Period: 2017-21

Alvin Kamara has never had a 1,000-Yard Rushing Season, but the Saints Running Back has been one of the most complete dual-threat Running Backs since he debuted in 2017.

Named to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, Kamara won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and was the league leader in Touchdowns (21) in 2020.  He might be slowing down, and if so, his Hall of Fame chances will plummet, but as we enter 2024, Kamara is one of New Orleans’s top offensive weapons.

What he accomplishes in 2024 could tell the tale of his Hall of Fame chances.